Externally Bonded FRP for Service-Life Extension of RC Infrastructure

TLDR

The repair and strengthening of reinforced concrete structures with externally bonded fiber‑reinforced polymer composites is a growing alternative to long‑established steel plate reinforcement, and a literature review highlights the large‑scale need for infrastructure rehabilitation. The paper surveys field applications of steel plates and FRP composites for extending the life of deteriorating RC flexural members. The authors conduct a comprehensive survey of field applications, review literature and laboratory data, and compile research priorities for FRP use as external reinforcement of RC flexural members. The study concludes that future FRP research should target field‑like conditions for RC members.

Abstract

Although the concept of repairing and strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) structures using steel plate reinforcement has been established for more than 30 years, today there is an increasing trend toward the use of externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, such as glass FRP and carbon FRP. This paper summarizes the results of a comprehensive survey of field applications of both steel plates and FRP composites as external reinforcement for the life extension of deteriorating RC flexural members. A literature review conducted to assess the need for infrastructure rehabilitation suggests that the problem with structurally deficient or obsolete structures is one of large magnitude needing immediate attention. Based on the collective findings from a survey of field applications, a review of literature on the state of the infrastructure and a database of laboratory studies, a list of research priorities is compiled for further studies investigating the use of FRP composites as external reinforcement for RC flexural members. Overall, it is concluded that future research on the application of FRP to RC members should focus on conditions that are more similar to what is observed in the field.